Fr Philip Carter offers a ministry of spirituality, with a series of meditations on some questions that we may ponder as we consider our life in God.
This series of seven reflections, Learning Jesus, takes us on a journey through the season of Lent. We pray that you find this a time of renewal.
We continue the journey through Holy Week. This week we will complete the series on the words of Jesus, with a reflection for Tenebrae, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.
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I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection of the dead.
Philippians 3:10
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Luke Timothy Johnson says it is better to speak of “learning Jesus” than of “knowing Jesus” – for we are “concerned with a process rather than a product”. In Paul’s passionate longing to experience Jesus, and to “become like him”, we get a glimpse of what is involved in learning Jesus: mystery, reciprocity, respect, openness, silence, reflection, patience, suffering and openness to the other’s truth, creative fidelity – the “willingness to trust, be attentive and suffer with the other even as the other changes”.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.
Matthew 5:6
Relationships expose us to the best and worst in us; we fall below our best hopes, the world’s pain numbs us or inspires us; we struggle between the poles of loneliness and solitude; and the ordinariness of our lives is a crucible in which we find life or death. And God’s dream of another way is a sustained and sustaining vision that calls out from us the choices and commitments that will make for a better world.
Love one another as I have loved you.
John 13:34
Love is God’s meaning, Jove is God’s name. Love is who God is, and what God does. The community of love – which is God – is our community, in which we discover who we are, who we can become, and what we are to do. And that is precisely the gift we have for each other.
Whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant, whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.
Matthew 20:26-27
Jesus came not to found a religion but to usher in a new era of human relating. Presence without privilege, dialogue without arrogance, ministry without domination. Take care how you relate to each other, for Jesus came “not to be served but to serve”. He is for us the reason to serve, as well as the model. But even more than a model to imitate, we are to become Jesus in the world, who has no hands but our hands.
Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones.
Matthew 18:10
The One who is gentle and humble of heart asks us to respect and honour the least, the last and the lost. This respect for human life – for human dignity and freedom – is fundamental in our learning Jesus.
For a printable PDF of the text of this reflection click on the link below.
